North Texas U13 Girls Team Perfect at Presidents Cup Regional Tourney

The summer of 2014 has been loaded with great soccer tournaments. One of our local North Texas teams, Sting 01 Gray U13 girls, put on a performance that any team would be proud of at the Southern Regional Presidents Cup in Decatur, Ala.

The girls qualified for Regionals several months ago by winning the North Texas Presidents Cup tournament on a weekend filled with 20-degree temperatures and 40 mile-per-hour winds. This resulted in matches that were tough and far from pretty. The scene in Alabama was very different. Great weather complemented the immaculate pitches, and the soccer was even better.

Twelve teams from 11 different states — Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas -- arrived on June 12 ready to play. Each team had already won their association championship back home and now held higher aspirations.

The Sting team wrapped up group play with three wins, nine goals scored and none allowed. Alabama, Oklahoma and South Carolina all played good games, but couldn't quite get one over the line. For the Sting, multiple players scored, the ball remained in the offensive half for the majority of each match, and the defense and keeper were up to the test when called upon. This group proved to be the toughest, as Oklahoma received the wild card into the elimination rounds.

Sting 01 Gray finished the tournament as the Regional champions with two, 2-0 wins. Both goals were scored off corner kicks in the semi-final against South Texas. In the final, Louisiana proved to be a stubborn side with a strong goal keeper, but one more goal off of a set piece and a late breakaway sealed the title for the Sting. Every player significantly contributed throughout the weekend and the team (and parents) were even recognized for good sportsmanship — a perfect tournament!

Coach, players, and parents advanced to South Carolina, July 9-13 for the National Presidents Cup, where they were matched up against sides from California, Illinois and Pennsylvania, the other three Regional Champions. Go Sting and go NTX!